FC Augsburg vs. TSG Hoffenheim preview: Champions League hopefuls seek to end downward spiral | OneFootball

Midtable side Augsburg entertain fifth-placed TSG Hoffenheim on Friday in Bundesliga. The visitors dropped out of the top four following a heavy defeat in Leipzig and a home loss to Mainz 05.

FC Augsburg

Manuel Baum’s side managed to end a three-game losing streak in Hamburg last time out. Michael Gregoritsch’s act of sportsmanship was the highlight in a game that saw both teams create enough opportunities to score more than a goal.

The recent poor results magnified the importance of Augsburg’s positive streak that started with a stunning triumph in the derby against FC Bayern Munich. Those five wins in six matches already pulled them out of the relegation zone as they can look forward to their 16th consecutive top-flight season.

Team News

Kevin Schlotterbeck, who captained the side in the absence of the injured Jeffrey Gouweleeuw, is suspended for accumulated yellow cards. The US international Noahkai Banks is the most likely option to play alongside Zesiger and Arthur Chaves, who scored their goal in the 1-1 draw last weekend. Gouweleeuw is also ready to feature for the first time since November after returning to the matchday squad against HSV.

TSG Hoffenhim

Hoffenheim have also never been relegated from Bundesliga, but their goal is different from their Friday’s hosts. After scrapping their way to safety last season, Christian Ilzer’s side are now challenging the top teams for a place in Europe’s premier competition.

However, they will most likely need to get back to the top four to realize that dream. Anything other than three points on matchday 29 would mean they’ll go winless in four for the first time this term.

Team News

Wouter Burger will not be available after picking up his fifth yellow card of a debut Bundesliga season in the late defeat to Mainz. Leon Avdullahu is one caution away from suspension, but he’s also a doubt with a minor injury.

Head-to-Head

The comfortable 3-0 win in the reverse fixture extended Hoffenheim’s unbeaten streak against Augsburg to five games. Bazoumana Touré and Burger scored inside the first half hour before Cédric Zesiger’s own-goal at the stroke of the half-time. However, Hoffenheim’s last win at WWK Arena came in the opening matchday of 2021/22.  

Predicted Lineups

Augsburg: Dahmen ©; Arthur Chaves, Banks, Zesiger; Wolf, Massengo, Fellhauer, Giannoulis; Rieder, Claude-Maurice; Ribeiro

Hoffenheim: Baumann ©; Coufal, Kabak, Hajdari, Bernardo; Prömel; Kramarić, Prass; Lemperle, Touré; Asllani